Great news for Rye Harbour Discovery Centre

Sussex Wildlife Trust has been awarded a development grant of £47,200 by the Heritage Lottery Fund for its Discover Rye Harbour project. The Heritage Grant will cover 71% of the total eligible development work cost of £66,100.00, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players.

Discover Rye Harbour is a dynamic project which aims to transform the way people engage with the natural heritage of Sussex. Based at a new Discovery Centre to be built at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, the project will offer an exciting year-round programme of exhibitions, events and education opportunities for over 350,000 annual visitors.

Developed with the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, the project will transform people’s engagement in, and conservation of, the unique natural environment and wider heritage of the nature reserve. Backed by an extensive volunteer development programme, it will also improve existing habitats for the 4500 species of plants and animals who thrive there – of which more than 300 are nationally rare or endangered.

Director of Learning and Engagement at Sussex Wildlife Trust, Pete Crawford, says: “Rye Harbour is a very special place, and this project will engage thousands of visitors, including many young people, who will learn about the reserve’s exceptional biodiversity and history, the wider landscape and conservation.”

Stuart McLeod, Head of HLF South East said: “We are delighted to support this project, which, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, will mean that more people will be able to get involved with, protect, and learn about the exciting heritage right on their doorstep."

Comments

Ray Hayley-Barker:

14 Dec 2018 18:29:00

The grant for the Discover Rye Harbour is excellent news. I did not realise there is a Rye Beach School but nice to see them on the Reserve. One thing I am curious about is the well recognised red roofed hut; what actually is this used for and is it owned by the Reserve?